Electric generator.



J. L. MILTON.

ELECTRIC GENERATOR.

APPLICATION FILED MAY15,1914.

Patented Mar. 9, 1915.

2 SHEETS-$HEETI J. L. MILTON.

ELECTRIC GENERATOR.

APPLICATION FILED MAY 15, 1914v Patented Mar. 9, 1915.

2 SHEETSSHBBT 2.

JOHN LEWIS MILTON, 0F ANDERSON, INDIANA.

ELECTRIC GENERATOR;

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Mar. 9, 1915.

Application filed May 15, 1914. Serial No. 838,650.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, JoHN L. MILTON, a citizen of the United States,residing at Anderson. in the-county of Madison and State of Indiana,(whose post-office address is care of the Remy Electric Company, Anderson, Indiana), have invented a new and useful Electric Generator, ofwhich the following is a specification.

My invention relates particularly to electric generators used ir'iconnection with in ternal combustion engines for furnishing electricityfor the ignition of suchengines and also for operating other electricalapparatus, such as lights. I have developed this generator especiallyfor use on vehicles propelled by internal combustion engines, inparticular, motorcycles, although I am aware that the invention may beapplied to a variety of other uses.

One purpose of my invention is to develop a generator of suflicientlysmall size to enable it to replace the magneto commonly used for theignition of motorcycle engines.

Another, purpose of my invention is to produce a single unit includingnot only the generator proper, but also a timer, and ,circuitcontrolling means depending on the position of the adjustable member ofsaid timer. By including the above mentioned parts in'a single unit,application to the engine is easier than if these parts were separatedevices. The small size of the generator is obtained by driving thegenerating rotor or armature at a speed somewhat greater than the timershaft of the generator. I employ a timer having, in accordance withcommon practice, a member normally stationary, but adjustable about thetimer shaft for the purpose of advancing and retar-ding the spark, andalso for controlling certain electrical connections.

Referring to the drawings: Figure 1 illus trates the generator, formingthe principal part of my invention, mounted on an engine similar to thatfrequently used on motorcycles. Fig. 2 is an end View of the generator,with a cover and certain parts of the timer removed. Fig. 3 is atransverse section, along the line 3-3 of Fig. 4. Fig. 4 is a verticallongitudinal section. Fig. 5 is a perspective view of certain parts ofthe adjustable member of the timer. Fig. 6 shows a detail of the contactsprings as seen from above. Fig. 7 shows the method of holding thecondenser in place, being a section along 7-7 of Fig. 3.

Referring to Fig. 1,1 represents the generator, secured by cap screws248 to a bracket 250, which is integral with the crank case 251 of theengine. Said generator is geared to the crank shaft of this engine bymeans of gear 260 attached to the generator shaft 20, gear 261 meshingwith said gear 260, and gear 262, attached to said crank shaft 252.There are also shown the respective cylinders 226 and 236, pistons 227and 237, connecting rods 228 and 238, and spark plugs 223 and 233 of theengine. Storage battery 200, and induction coils 220 and 230 are alsoshown, together with connecting wires.

Referring'to Figs. 2, 3, and 4, there are pole pieces and 3 heldtogether by a bolt 4, and positioned by dowel pins 5. These pole piecesform the field magnet core, similar to those in common use in directcurrent generators and also serve to form the general framework of themachine. They are provided with lugs 2 and 3, having suitable holeswhereby the machine may be secured to the engine bracket. There is anend plate 6 at one end of the machine and at the opposite end there isan end plate 7, over which fits a cover 8, said cover being removed inFig. 2. Said end plate 7 is held in place by studs 9, 9, and screws 10,10, and said cover 8 is secured by screws 11, fitting in the outer endsof studs 9, and screws 12, fitting in said end plate 7. There is adriving shaft 20 having bearings 21 and 22, whose outerraces are held inthe end plates '6 and 7 respectively. Said shaft 20 carries a gear 23which meshes with a pinion 24 mounted on a shaft 25. Said shaft 25 issupported by bearings '26 and 27, whose outer races are fitted in endplates 6 and 7 respectively. Said shaft 25 serves as the generator rotorshaft and in the form here shown the rotor is a direct current armature.Accordingly there is a commutator 28, a core 29, and a winding 30. Theparticular construction of said commutator 28, core 29 and winding 30,as shown here does not differ from common direct current practice. Inoperation, the generator is driven through the shaft 20 and this shaftin turn drives the shaft 25 and associated rotor through gear 23 andpinion 24, the rotor shaft 25 revolving somewhat faster than the timershaft 20. There is a field winding 31- S...-

rounding a portion of the pole pieces 2 and 3. Said winding is dividedinto two coils between which is the shaft 5. Abutting against thecommutator, are brushes'40, 41 and 42, held in their respective brushholders, 50, 51, and 52. Said brush holders may be any suitable form ofthe well known types, and their number, position and connections may bechosen with reference to the particular type of circuit employed.

There is a timer disk 60, supported by a boss 7", forming part of theend plate 7. Said disk may be rotated on said boss through a portion ofa revolution, being limited by a stud 61, in the end plate 7. There is aplate 62, secured to said timer disk 60, but insulated therefrom, bymeans rivets 63, 63 and associated insulating material 64, 64. There isa lever 65 on one end of which is secured a pin 66. Said pin 66 rotatesin a hole in a boss, forming part of said plate 62. There is a spring 67coiled around said boss, tending to move said lever 65 in such adirection as to cause engagement of the hereinafter described contacts.One end of said spring engages said lever, and the other end engages astud 68, secured in the plate 62. There is a flat iece 69, one end ofwhich rests against the pin 66, and the other end of which secured to astud 70, whichstud, in turn, is secured to the plate 62. The purpose ofthis fiat ,piece is to prevent the pin 66 from coming out of the plate62. The free end of the lever 65 carries a contact 80, which engages acontact 81. Said contact 81 is attached to the end of a screw 82, heldin a bracket 83. This bracket is secured to the timer disk 62,butinsulated therefrom by insulation 84, and screws 85. There is a flatbuffer spring 86, secured to the timer disk 62, through the insulation84 and screws 85. Said spring serves to prevent excessive vibration ofthe lever 65 at high speed. The insulation sep arates it electrically,both from the timer disk 62 and the bracket 83. i

There is a cam 87 secured to the end of the shaft 20, adapted to engagea block of insulating material 88, rigidly ecured to said lever 65,whereby rotation of said shaft 20, in conjunction with the spring 67,causes successive separations and engagements of the contacts 80 and 81.Said contacts and the means whereby they are engaged and separatedconstitute the interrupter.

There is a distributer having a lever 90, pivoted at 91 to the plate 62.Attached to said distributer lever 90, is a flat steel spring 92,abutting the stud 70, tending toforce said distributing leverdownwardly.

There is a cam 93, of fiber, secured to the shaft 20, serving to impartmotion to the distributing lever 90. The free end of the distributinglever 90, carries contacts 120 and 130. When said lever 90 is in itsuppermost position, the contact 130 engages a contact 131, and in itslowermost position on the contact 120 engages a contact 121. Said lever90 is made slightly flexible as otherwise it would be diflicult orimpossible torin sure positive engagement of the contacts 130 and 131without binding the cam 93. Said contacts, 121 and 131 are secured tothe terminals 122 and 132, respectively, by means of spiral springsorsimilar conducting means, 123 and 133 respectively, connected to ears122 and 132", forming extensions of the respective contacts 122 and 132.Said contacts 121 and 131 are secured to disk 60, but insulatedtherefrom. The terminals 122 and 132 are stationary, being suitablysecured to the end plate' 7, but insulated therefrom, and the s ringsserve to form a flexible connection etween these binding posts and thecontacts which are attached to the movable disk 60. There is a tongue83" extending'from the bracket 83.

There are two flat springs 100 and 101, secured to the end plate 7through screws 102, 102 and insulation 103, whereby they are insulatedfrom one another and from the end plate 6. The end 101 of the spring 101is connected to binding post 104 through a wire 105. Said binding curedto the end plate 6, but insulated therefrom. When the timer issufliciently advanced to cause engagement of the springs, there is aconnection between the terminal est 104 is se- 101 and the contact 81 asfollows: from terminal 104, wire 105, projection 101 and the remainingpart of spring 101 to tongue 83", bracket 83 and screw 82 to contact 81.When contacts 81 and are engaged, this connection continues throughlever 65, pin 66, plate 62, pivot -91 and lever 90. When the distributerlever is in. its lowest position, this path is continued throughcontacts 120 and 121 and wire 123 to termihal 122, and when said leveris in its uppermost position, the path is continued through contact 130and 131 and wire133 to terminal 132. The relation of the- 'cams 87 and93 and cooperating parts is such that the contacts 80 and 81 interruptthe circuit during the time that connection is made to either the termi'nal 122 or 132, by the lever 90. The terminal to which this connectionis a made changes with each interruption. Connection between interrupterlever 65 and the frame of the machine through cam 87 is prevented by theuse of the fiber piece 88 on which said cam acts, and connection betweendistributer lever 90' and the frame through cam 93 is preventedby makingsaid and contacts 121 and 131 are insulated from the frame of themachine as previously explained. From this it results that the path fromspring 101 to terminal 122 or 123 is insulated from the frame. Thearrangements herein described are particularly suitable for the circuitswhich I contemplate using with this invention, but the details may bevaried so as to adapt the generator to other forms of circuit or othertypes of engine.

The sparks for the ignition of the internal combustion engine areproduced by the interruption of a current by the interrupter contacts 80and 81. Accordingly the time of ignition can be varied in the well knownmanner by turning the timer disk and associated parts in the directionof rotation of the shaft 20 to retard the ignition, and in the oppositedirection to advance the ignition. When the timer disk is rotated as faras the stop, hereinafter mentioned permits, in the direction of rotationof the timer shaft 20, it is said to be in the fully retarded position,although, as will be explained later, no sparks are produced with thetimer in this position. The motion of the timer disk 60 is limited bythe screw 61. inserted in the generator end plate 7. When said disk isrotated in a counter-clockwise direction as far as said screw permits,the position of the tongue 83 with relation to the springs 100 and 101is shown by R Fig. 6. As the timer disk and associated parts are rotatedin a clockwise direction, the tongue 83 first engages the spring 101 andafter further movement it engages also the spring 100. The stop limitsthe motion of the timer disk so that the tongue 83 cannot pass beyondthe positioh A, Fig. 6. The shape of the springs 100' and 101 is suchthat the tongue 83 in passing from the position R to the position A doesnot become separated from either of the springs after having engagedthem. With this arrangement, the machine is suited for counter-clockwiserotation of the shaft 20, as indicated by the arrow. Rotation of thetimer disk and associated parts in a direction opposite to the rotationof the shaft causes the separation of the timer contacts 80 and 81 (Fig.2) to take place earlier. This advances the ignition in the well knownmanner, for, as will be explained later, the separation of thesecontacts causes the ignition to take place. Referring again to Fig. 3,A, then is the position of the tongue 83* in the fully advancedposition, and R its position in the fully retarded position of thetimer. From what has been said above, it is evident that advancingthetimer, first establishes a connection between the tongue 83 and thespring 101, and further advancing also closes the circuit between saidtongue and the spring 100.

Should it be desired to employ the generator where it is necessary todrive the shaft 20 in a clockwise direction, the stop or screw 61 isremoved from the position shown in Fig. 2, and put in the hole 61.lViththe stop thus changed, the range of motion of the timer disk 60 issuch that the tongue 83" may move between the positions A and R ,of Fig.6. lVhen turned as far as possible in a clockwise direction (which forclockwise rotation of the shaft 20, is the fully retarded position) thetongue 83 occupies the position R. Due to the recesses 10G and 101 inthe respective springs, said tongue does not engage either of saidsprings. As the timer disk is turned in a counterclockwise direction,that is advanced, (for clockwise rotation of the shaft 20) the tongue 83first engages the spring 101 and then the spring 100. Thus the sequenceof connections occurring during advancing of the timer is the same aswas previously the case when the apparatus was arranged forcounter-clockwise rotation of the shaft 20.

There is a three pronged timer spider 180, shown in detail in Fig. 5 butremoved in Fig. 2, having prongs 180, 180 and 180, fitting in notches60, 60 and 60 respectively, said notches being shown in Fig.2. Attachedto said timer spider is a four pronged spring 181, adapted to abutagainst the cover and for holding said spider in position as shown inFig. 4. The spider 180 has a circular portion 180 which fits in a holein the cover 8. The disk 60, spider 180 and parts associated therewithso as .to move when said disk is moved, constitute the adjustable memberof the timer.

It frequently happens in ignition systems that the linkage by which theadjustable member of the timer is moved is inaccurately installed, sothat a strain is thrown on the adjustable member of the timer, tendingto skew it. This may cause binding and excessive friction, or it maythrow the adjustable member out of alinement and cause faulty action ofthe circuit breaker. By my construction any ordinary inaccuracy in theinstallation of the timer operating linkage will not produce thesetroubles, because skewing the spider 180 will merely cause the prongs tomove axially in the slots in the timer disk without subjecting said diskto a strain.

There is a condenser 150 secured between the pole pieces 2 and 3. Saidcondenser is inclosed in a casing 151, molded of insulating material.This is located between the pole pieces 2 and 3 and is prevented frommoving vertically by projections 2 and 2 on the pole piece 2, andsimilar projections 3 and 3 on the pole piece 3, the casing fitting inthe grooves produced by the presence of these projections. One edge ofsaid casing 151 abuts the pole piece 3, but there is a flat spring 152between the opposite edge of the casing and the pole piece 2. This isshown in detail in Fig. 7. The middle of said spring has a projection152 fitting into a corresponding recess in the pole piece 2. One end,152*, of said spring 152 is bent substantially at right angles to thebody of the spring, and fits into groove in the condenser casing 151.This spring prevents the condenser casing from sliding out during use ofthe generator, but sufficient force may be readily applied so as to pushthe casing and condenser out of the fields for purposes of repair, etc.In the contemplated method of operation the terminals 122 and 132 are inthe circuit of the primary windings of the respective ignition coils 220and 230, and the supply of current for these coils is also connected tothe terminal 10%. The ignition circuits are thus interrupted by theaction of the timer and sparks produced in the usual manner. To stop theignition the timer is moved to the fully retarded position, separatingthe tongue 83 from the spring 101 and thereby cutting off the supply ofignition current. The condenser 150 is connected in parallel with thecontacts 80 and 81. The circuit for charging the storage battery 200 bythe generator is brought, in any suitable manner, through the spring100, whereby said circuit is closed only when said spring 100 is engagedby the tongue 83. The arrangement of the springs 100 and 101 previouslydescribed is such that this charging circuit is closed only when thetimer is advanced to a certain extent. Thus, when the engine is stoppedand the ignition turned ofl", or running so slowly as to require wellretarded ignition, the charging circuit is open, preventing discharge ofthe battery through the generator, but where the spark is advanced, asoccurs when the generator is driven fast enough to charge the battery,the charging connection is established through the spring 100. Thus themeans for controlling the timing of the sparks also serves to disconnectthe ignition and the charging circuits at the proper time.

I claim as my invention:

1. An electric ignition generator including in combination, a timershaft, a generating rotor, and gearing connecting said timer shaft andthe shaft of said rotor, whereby said rotor is driven at a higher rateof speed than said timer shaft with a single source of current, saidparts forming a single unit.

2. An electric ignition generator having in combination, a timer shaft agenerating rotor, gearing connecting said timer shaft and the shaft ofsaid rotor, whereby said rotor is driven at a higher rate of speed thansaid timer shaft, and an adjustable timer member with a single source ofcurrent, said parts forming a single unit.

1. An electric ignition generator having in combination, a timer shaftan adjustable timer member, a plurality of notches in said timer member,a spider having prongs.

adapted to fit in said notches, and a cover adapted to exert pressure onsaid spider, whereby said prongs are prevented from coming out of saidnotches.

5. An electric ignition generator, including in combination, anadjustable member, notches in said adjustable member, a spider having aplurality of prongs adapted to fit in said notches, and a stationarycover adapted to exert pressure against spider, whereby said prongs areretained in said notches.

6. An electric ignition generator including, in combination, a timerhaving an adjustable member, a contact associated with said adjustablemember, a second contact associated with some part other than saidadjustable member and adapted to be engaged by said first named contactwhen said adjustable member occupies certain positions, a means forlimiting the range of adjustment of said adjustable member permittingsaid contacts to engage when said adjust-.

able member is moved to the limit of its range in a clockwise directionand to become separated when said adjustable member is moved to thelimit of its range in a counter clockwise direction, a second means forlimiting the range of adjustment of said adjustable member, permittingsaid contacts to engage when said adjustable member is moved to thelimit of its range in a counter clockwise direction and to becomeseparated when said adjustable member is moved to the limit of its rangein a clockwise direction, and means permitting either of said means forlimiting the range of adjustment of said adjustable member to'berendered inoperative.

7. An electric battery charging and ignition generator, including, incombination, an electromagnetic field core and a condenser supporteddirectly by said field core.

8. An electric ignition generator including in combination, a framework,oppositelydisposed grooves in said framework, and a condenser havmg anedge in each of said .grooves.

11. An electric ignition generator including in combination, a shaft,ignition timing its mechanism operated by one end of said shaft, adriving means attached to the other end of said shaft, bearingsforsupporting said shaft between said driving means and said i ition timingmechanism, a second shaft, earings supporting said last named shaft atits end and a generating rotor car.

ried by said second shaft.

12. An electric. generator including in combination, circuit controllingmechanism,

an adjustable member forming part of said clrcuit controlling mechanism,a 'commutator, brushes cooperating with said commutator, a single coverfor said circuit controlling mechanism, brushes and commutator, a holein said cover, and means passing through said hole for actuating saidadjustable member.

13. An electric ignition single armature generator including, incombination, a timer shaft, a generating rotor geared to said timershaft and driven thereby, and a distributer having its revolving partattached to said timer shaft and adapted to, connect an ignition circuitsuccessively with the various cylinders of an internal combustionengine.

14. An electric ignition generator includin the combination with a timershaft, an ad ustable timer member, a generating rotor, and anend platehaving a bearing for said generating rotor, a bearing for said timershaft and a boss for supporting the adjustable member of said timer, ofa field winding having a portion thereof on one side of said timer shaftand another portion on the opposite side of said timer shaft.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, byaddressing-the Commissioner oi Patents,

15 .An electric generator including in combination, circuit controllingmechanism,

- brushes cooperating with said commutator,

and a single cover for said circuit controlling mechanism, brushes andcommutator.

16. An electric ignition generator including the combination with atimer shaft, a generatin rotor, and an end plate having a bearing 'forsaid generating rotor and a bearing for said timer shaft, of a fieldwinding having 'a portion thereof on one side of said timer shaft andanother portion on the opposite side of said timer shaft. k

17. An electric generator including, in combination, an electromagneticfield core and a condenser within a molded case,-said case beingdirectly supported by said field core.

18. An electric generator including, in combination, an electromagneticfield core, a generating rotor, a shaftgeared to said generating rotorand a condenser mounted within said field core between said generatingrotor and said sliaft.

19. Anelectric ignition generator including in combination, a timershaft, a generating armature, brush-holders, gearing connecting saidtimer shaft and the shaft of said armature whereby the shaft of saidarmature is driven at a. higher rate of speed than said t'mer shaft, andan end bearing housing carrying in a unit, bearings for the armature andtimer shaft, a boss concentric to the timer shaft for supporting saidtimer and means for supporting the armature brush-holders directly tosaid housing.

Signed at Anderson, county of Madison, and State of Indiana, this eighthday of May, 1914.

JOHN LEWIS MILTON. Witnesses:

A. W. SHAW,- F. P. MoDi-m uo'r'r, Jr.

Washington. D. 0."

